It’s the defense’s turn in the trial of former Lake Wales High School junior varsity basketball coach Burney Hayes.
Hays, 52, is charged with misdemeanor battery for how he was seen escorting a player out on January 7.
Hayes was caught on a cell phone video forcing 16 year old Michael Thompson, a player, against a gym wall during practice, and then a hallway. He was apparently upset about what the player said to him after a scuffle with another teen.
Hays faces a year in jail if convicted.
